Merc downplays 'Prost-Senna' saga

2014-05-30 08:34

share:

THE NEW SENNA/PROST? Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton (left) and team mate Nico Rosberg's intense rivalry has been compared to that of Alain Prost and the late Ayrton Senna during the 1980's. Image: AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulate

Mercedes has been dominant throughout the 2014 season, winning all the races to date, with five successive one-two finishes from six starts, all from pole.

Wolff said: "We have seen a lot of talk about their relationship but that's not the key thing for a successful campaign. It's a job, not a holiday, and the drivers need to work with, and for, the team first of all.

"There have been a lot of comparisons to the Senna/Prost scenario, which is a kind of compliment to both Lewis and Nico. But the situation here is very different. The racing philosophy of Mercedes-Benz is to allow our drivers to compete. We let the boys play with their toys, unless they break them."

'I WAS JOKING'

Wolff said both knew the team would not tolerate any incident between them and reminded them they were representing nearly 300 000 Mercedes employees around the world.

Hamilton played up to the Senna references at the weekend when he threatened after qualifying to take a leaf out of the late Brazilian's book.

The remark was interpreted by some as referring to Senna's title-deciding collisions with McLaren team mate Prost but Sunday's race passed without incident and Hamilton later told reporters he was joking.

"I was seriously joking. The priority is the team," said Hamilton, now four points behind Rosberg.

Other Stories in News...

German automakers reacted with dismay Thursday as the US Commerce Department said tariffs on car imports could be on the horizon, potentially opening a new front in a burgeoning transatlantic trade conflict.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.